Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-04-13
CRIMES BlLLC0NDEMNED.
Great Anti Coercion Demonstration
at the Theatre.
'SAVANNAH'S SYMPATHY WITH
IRELAND'S WRONGS,

Two Thousand People In One Voice
Unite in Loud Protest Against Eng
lands Policy of COerciOn-Stirrinl
Speeches by Mayor Lester, judge
Spser. Col. Mercer, Congressman Nor
wood and Others-Parnen and Glad
stone EulOgizsd and Salisbury ano
His Followers DenOunced-A Gable.
gram to Parnell.
An immense mass meeting OF the citi'
zens of Savannah was held at the Theatre
last night to protest against the passage
OF the coercion bill, now pending in the
English House Of Commons, and to ex-
press sympathy for the cause of Ireland.
Ghe meeting was under the auspices OF
the local branch OF the Irish National
League, the Committee of Arrangements
being Messrs. p. j. O'Connor, John FIan-
merry, Luke Carson, Daniel Hogan, John
T. Roman.
Half q dozen prominent speakers adj
dressed the meeting, letters were read
from all over the State and intense enthu-
siasm WAS displayed. Among those on
The stage in addition to the speakers
were: Aldermen d. r. Thomas, Il. d.
Bogari. John Schwarz, W. +. Reid, Da-
vii Wells, Capt. j. j. MCGOWAN, Capt.
Robert Falligant, Coz. 3. +. Bee, Capt.J f.
Wheaton, Rev. J. r. Armstrong, Dupont
Gusrry, Esq, United States District AT.
torHey; Marion Erwin, Esq, Capt. r. NJ.
Hun, Sergt. j. 3. killOurhy, Col. Waring
Russell, Judge Philip Russell, Col. L. ID.
Walker, c. {. Casey, Esq, Col. John F..
GaynOr.
1t was a great demonstration by the
friends of ireland. Every seat III the
lower part OF the Theatre was filed, and
"a al "a INF 14,3f
packed, and men aud women
squeezed for front places. The front
rows OF the dress circle were occupied by
ladies. The band played 'Killarney,"
.'lhe Wearing OF the Green" and many
other airs dear to Irish hearts, and those
VINO We're crowded IN the Theatre forgot
their discomfort N their enthusiasm.
AS soon as the house was filled Il. j.
O'Connor, Esq, President OF Savannah
Branch No. 464 Of the Irish National
League, introduced Mayor Lester as the
presiding oticer Of tue meeting.
MAYOR TESTERS SPEECH.
In accepting the honor Col. Lester said ::
fCitiLeus OF Savannah, the eXigencies of
Ireland, on rather Of the people OF Ireland,
appeal TO the sympathy OF the civilized
world. As men aud citizens OF a country
they are entitled to life, liberty and the
pursuit OF happiness. We are told, and
are told In no uncertain tones,
that measures are on foot in
the British Parliament which il
carried out will subject to tyranny and
deprive them of these rights which an
Englishman would not submit TO for an
: hour. Applause. 1t may not be be-
coming az all times 10 interfere in the
politics VI government OF another coun-
try, but there is feeling common to
humanity which accOrds TO all people GER
tain high rites which no government
ought TO undertake to take away.
SYMPATHY FOR IRELAND.
"All who love liberty have the right to
extend their sympathy to Ireland. We
are told that there is measure on foot
which assumes that the Irish people are
IN state of anarchy, an assump
ton which cannot be true-a
law applicable only in one Sec
tion of the British Empire, and which
deprives the people OF the common rights
which every EnglIshman boasts that be
enjoys. We are told that for the offense
for which he may be accused in Ireland
he is TO be dragged before magistrate, de.
prIved of the right OF trial by Jury and
10 be fined and punished in the discretion
of the magistrate who may happen
10 be selected. Another fea.
ture of this bill is that the lrishman
is subject to be called from his home and
taken to Eng and and tried by jury not
OF MS own country.
STRIKING AT LIBERTY.
"His rights, which are infringed by this
measure, strike at the very root of liberty
and and personal safety; Its Pre- pro,
is no palliation for meas.
ure which provides that any one
snail only be removed in the dis
BRETON of an English Attorney General.
Il 1his is the measure that they tell us l.
EER necessity. But how can il be excused
ave are unable to tell. There may be
crime in Ireland. If il is tree from crime
81 enjoys distinction OF which no other
srOuntry can boast voice, Down
with SalisburyH
81 THAT can be no excuse. That this law
should 60 into effect there ought to be
some excuse for IL. IL ought 10 be based
bn some necessity. But when laws are
made which strike down these rights the
7%orld may cry out III condemnation.
THE PEOPLES RIGHTS.
81 care not what the politics Of the
1rishman or Englishman may be, mis- poll
tics certainly cannot be good Il in them
or by them rights are destroyed. Preju-
dice may prompt the bill. Interest may
foster 1t, but strange TO say political
ofenses are exempted from IL. 1t pro-
Nldes not Tor high political ohenses but
Tor common oti1nses when any one may
be charged with. is 1t because there are
professional patriots IL Ireland who may
desire dlscoTd Tor their own promotion? Is
IL because there are professional patriots
in England: We cannot tell, but we do
know that here is people about 10 DC
stricken down by a law that does not al
feet any other part OF the nation"
In concluding Mayor Lester alluded to
the resolutions OF sympathy tor Greco
which Henry Clay offered in the United
states Senate. That nigh precedent, said
the speaker, may well be followed In the
case of Ireland. His Honor then au-
uOunced that the meeting Was called for
the purpose Of giving the public OF Sa-
yannah an opportunity TO express their
opinion on the coercion DILL, aud he de.
clxred the meeting open.
IRELANUS RIGHTS.